Just found out that one of my best friends died last January 26th. I still haven't found any details, but as he had been a heavy drinker, a heavy smoker and had compromised coordination due to falling down a gold mine in Ecuador (just don't ask), it could have been just about anything. The last chapter of my involvement in the sad, sad story is found here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discu...
I wish I could have done more for him. If you want to join in the modified virtual Irish wake, just hoist one in his honor... and pour it the fuck out. Say what you will about cocaine, meth or heroin, but alcohol is a hell of a drug.